When to Request an Interpreter:

• When a participant in a meeting, discussion, training, or event requests a sign language interpreter; or

• When you know that deaf individuals will be attending a meeting, discussion, training, or event (e.g., a graduation ceremony where some of the students have deaf parents); and

• When a sign language interpreter is necessary to effectively communicate the information in the meeting, discussion, training, or event.

Informing the Public:

It is important to provide a mechanism for deaf individuals to request interpreters from agencies and to advise deaf individuals that they need to provide no less than 5 business days’ notice.

Fliers and web postings for events, meetings, and outreach programs must provide a statement that informs residents and consumers that if they are in need of a reasonable accommodation (such as sign language) they must notify "_______________ [contact person and contact information] to make the request no less than 5 business days prior to the event.”

The Request Process:

1. Sign language interpreters must be requested by the agency involved.
   • Requests directly from participants will be referred to the agency.

2. Sign language services are handled by the Office of Disability Rights Division of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing

3. To request sign language services, please use this form: Effective Communication Program Accessibility Request Form

   For further information and questions, please contact MODDHH at (202) 727-9493 or [email protected]